Similarity-based searching

ABSTRACT

Pairs of similar objects in a population of objects can be found using a process that includes identifying a comparison vector x in a set of vectors having non-zero features, determining an estimated similarity contribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector x to a similarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set of vectors, generating an index that includes features based on a comparison of the similarity contribution with a similarity threshold, and identifying another vector in the set that is similar to the vector x using the index.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/909,390, filed Mar. 30, 2007, titled “Similarity-BasedSearching”. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/059,318, filed Mar. 31, 2008, titled “Similarity-BasedSearching”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/059,302, filed Mar.31, 2008, titled “Similarity-Based Searching”. The contents of the aboveapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to information management.

BACKGROUND

It is useful to search for similar pairs (or groups) of objects from apopulation of objects. For example, finding similar documents can beuseful in document management, such as for removing duplicate documentsin a database. The objects to be analyzed can be represented as vectors.Finding similar pairs of objects can involve computing similarity scoresbetween pairs of vectors, and keeping track of which vectors (or whichparts of the vectors) have already been compared. The similarity scorescan be compared with a threshold, and pairs of vectors whose similarityscores above the threshold are provided as the search result. Forexample, given a dataset V of vectors, a similarity function sim(•, •),and a threshold value t, one way to identify similar pairs of vectors isto compute sim(x, y) for all pairs of vectors x and y in the dataset Vand identify the pairs of vectors x and y for which sim(x, y)≧t.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, a comparison vector x that has non-zerofeatures in a set of vectors is identified; an estimated similaritycontribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector x to asimilarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set ofvectors is identified; an index that includes features based on acomparison of the similarity contribution with a similarity threshold isgenerated; and another vector in the set of vectors that is similar tothe vector x using the index is identified.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theset of vectors can include dimensions that are ordered such that anumber of features occurring in a dimension i varies as a monotonicfunction of i. The estimated similarity contribution can be based on asimilarity between the subset of features and a bounding vector whoseith coordinate equals a largest feature in a dimension i of the set ofvectors. The subset of features can be removed from the comparisonvector x if the subset of features are included in the index. For eachvector v different from the vector x in the set of vectors, the vector vcan be identified as a comparison vector, an estimated similaritycontribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector v to asimilarity between the comparison vector v and each vector in the set ofvectors can be determined, and an index that includes features based ona comparison of the similarity contribution with a similarity thresholdcan be generated.

For each vector v different from the vector x in the set of vectors,after including the subset of the features of the comparison vector v inthe index, the index can be used to identify a set of vectors similar tothe vector v. In some examples, each vector can represent acorresponding document, in which each feature of each vector canrepresent a frequency with which a word appears in the document. Thevector x can be displayed, and the set of vectors that has beenidentified as similar to x can be removed. In some examples, each vectorcan represent a corresponding user in a community, and each feature ofeach vector can represent a preference of the corresponding user towardsan object in a set of objects. After identifying another vector in theset of vectors that is similar to x, an object can be recommended to theuser corresponding to the vector x based on the identified similarvector. The set of objects can include a set of musical works or a setof dramatic works.

In some examples, each vector can represent a corresponding user in acommunity, and each feature of each vector can represent thecorresponding user's click-behavior with regard to a content item. Afteridentifying another vector in the set of vectors that is similar to thevector x, vectors that are similar to the vector x can be identified asrepresenting a group of colluding users. The content item can include anadvertisement or a web page. Each vector can represent a correspondingquery, and each feature of each vector can represent a relevance of acorresponding document to the query. After identifying another vector inthe set of vectors that is similar to the vector x, a querycorresponding to the identified similar vector can be suggested to auser.

In general, in another aspect, a dataset tool identifies a comparisonvector x in a set of vectors, the comparison vector x having non-zerofeatures; a similarity tool determines an estimated similaritycontribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector x to asimilarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set ofvectors; an index tool generates an index that includes features basedon a comparison of the similarity contribution with a similaritythreshold; and a results tool identifies another vector in the set ofvectors that is similar to the vector x using the index.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theset of vectors can include dimensions that are ordered such that anumber of features occurring in a dimension i varies as a monotonicfunction of i. The estimated similarity contribution can be determinedbased on a similarity between the subset of features and a boundingvector whose ith coordinate equals a largest feature in a dimension i ofthe set of vectors. The dataset tool identifies, for each vector vdifferent from the vector x in the set of vectors, v as a comparisonvector, and the similarity tool determines, for each vector v differentfrom the vector x in the set of vectors, an estimated similaritycontribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector v to asimilarity between the comparison vector v and each vector in the set ofvectors. The index tool can use the index to identify a set of vectorssimilar to v.

In some examples, each vector can represent a corresponding document,and each feature of each vector can represent a frequency with which aword appears in the document. The results tool can output the vector x,and the dataset tool can remove from the set of vectors the vectors thathave been identified as similar to the vector x. In some examples, eachvector can represent a corresponding user in a community, and eachfeature of each vector can represent a preference of the correspondinguser towards an object in a set of objects. The similarity tool canidentify another vector in the set of vectors that is similar to thevector x, and the results tool can recommend an object to the usercorresponding to the vector x based on the identified similar vector.The set of objects can include a set of musical works or a set ofdramatic works. In some examples, each vector can represent acorresponding user in a community, and each feature of each vector canrepresent the corresponding user's click-behavior with regard to acontent item. The similarity tool can identify another vector in the setof vectors that is similar to the vector x, and the results tool canidentify vectors that are similar to the vector x as representing agroup of colluding users. The content item can include an advertisementor a web page. In some examples, each vector can represent acorresponding query, and each feature of each vector represents arelevance of a corresponding document to the query. The similarity toolcan identify another vector in the set of vectors that is similar to thevector x, and the results tool can suggest a query corresponding to theidentified similar vector to a user.

In general, in another aspect, a system includes means for identifying acomparison vector x in a set of vectors, the comparison vector x havingnon-zero features; means for determining an estimated similaritycontribution of a subset of features of the comparison vector x to asimilarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set ofvectors; means for generating an index that includes features based on acomparison of the similarity contribution with a similarity threshold;and means for identifying another vector in the set of vectors that issimilar to the vector x using the index.

In general, in another aspect, pairs of similar vectors in a set ofvectors are identified. A comparison vector x in a set of vectors isidentified; a size threshold is determined such that if a similaritybetween the vector x and a vector y in the set of vectors is equal to orgreater than a similarity threshold, then the vector y has a size atleast equal to the size threshold, the size of the candidate vector ybeing determined based on a number of non-zero features in the vector y;and a vector having a size less than the size threshold is removed fromthe set of candidate vectors.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theset of vectors can be ordered according to a maximum weight of eachvector, and the set of vectors can be represented as an index. Removinga candidate vector can include removing a vector appearing in an initialposition in the index prior to removal. The maximum weight of a vectorcan be determined based on a largest feature of the vector. The sizethreshold can be based on a function of the similarity threshold and amaximum weight of the comparison vector x, e.g., the similaritythreshold divided by the maximum weight of the comparison vector x. Thesize threshold can be based on a function of the similarity thresholdand a size of the comparison vector x, e.g., the size of the comparisonvector x multiplied by the square of the similarity threshold.

After removing the vector having a size less than the minimum size, acandidate vector y in the set is identified; and an estimated similaritybetween the comparison vector x and the candidate vector y isdetermined. A similarity between the comparison vector x and thecandidate vector y is determined if the estimated similarity meets thesimilarity threshold; and the pair of vectors (x, y) are identified as asimilar pair if the similarity between the comparison vector x and thecandidate vector y meets the similarity threshold. For each vector vdifferent from the vector x in the set, the vector v is identified as acomparison vector, and a corresponding set of candidate vectors areidentified based on the vector v; and for each vector v different fromthe vector x in the set whose corresponding set of candidate vectors isnot empty, a subset of candidate vectors that are similar to v areidentified based on a similarity between vectors in the subset and v.The pair of similar vectors (x, y) can be outputted.

Each vector can represent a corresponding document, and each feature ofeach vector can represent a frequency with which a word appears in thedocument. Each vector can represent a corresponding user in a community,and each feature of each vector can represent a preference of thecorresponding user towards an object in a set of objects. An object canbe recommended to a user corresponding to the vector x based on thevector y. The set of objects can include a set of musical works or a setof dramatic works. Each vector can represent a corresponding user in acommunity, and each feature of each vector can represent thecorresponding user's click-behavior with regard to a content item. Apair of vectors (x, y) can be identified as representing a group ofcolluding users that correspond to the vectors x and y. The content itemcan include an advertisement or a web page. Each vector can represent acorresponding query, and each feature of each vector can represent arelevance of a corresponding document to the query. A querycorresponding to the vector y can be suggested to a user.

In general, in another aspect, a dataset tool identifies a set ofcandidate vectors in a set of vectors, each candidate vector havingfeatures, and identifies a comparison vector x in the set of vectors;and a similarity tool determines a size threshold such that if asimilarity between one of the candidate vectors y and the comparisonvector x is equal to or greater than a similarity threshold, then thevector y has a size at least equal to the size threshold. The datasettool removes a vector having a size less than the size threshold fromthe set of vectors.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Insome examples, the similarity tool can determine the size thresholdbased on a function of the similarity threshold and a maximum weight ofthe comparison vector x, e.g., the similarity threshold divided by themaximum weight of the comparison vector x. In some examples, thesimilarity tool can determine the size threshold based on a function ofthe similarity threshold and a size of the comparison vector x, e.g.,the size of the comparison vector x multiplied by the square of thesimilarity threshold.

The results tool can identify a candidate vector y in the set afterremoving the vector having a size less than the size threshold, and thesimilarity tool can identify an estimated similarity between thecomparison vector x and the candidate vector y. The similarity tool candetermine a similarity between the comparison vector x and the candidatevector y if the estimated similarity meets the similarity threshold. Aresults tool can identify vectors (x, y) as a similar pair if thesimilarity between the comparison vector x and the candidate vector ymeets the similarity threshold. In some examples, each vector canrepresent a corresponding document, and each feature of each vector canrepresent a frequency with which a word appears in the document. In someexamples, each vector can represent a corresponding user in a community,and each feature of each vector can represent a preference of thecorresponding user towards an object in a set of objects. In someexamples, each vector can represent a corresponding user in a community,and each feature of each vector can represent the corresponding user'sclick-behavior with regard to a content item. In some examples, eachvector can represent a corresponding query, and each feature of eachvector can represent a relevance of a corresponding document to thequery.

In general, in another aspect, pairs of similar vectors in a set ofvectors are identified. A comparison vector x is identified, and a setof candidate vectors corresponding to the vector x is identified. Foreach candidate vector y in the set, a similarity estimate between thecomparison vector x and the candidate vector y is determined; if thesimilarity estimate meets a similarity threshold, a similarity score ofthe comparison vector x and the candidate vector y is determined; and ifthe similarity score meets the similarity threshold, the pair of vectors(x, y) is included in a list of similar pairs of vectors.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thesimilarity estimate can be determined based on a predetermined functionsuch that the similarity estimate is greater than or equal to thesimilarity score between the comparison vector x and the candidatevector y. The similarity estimate can be based on a sum of (i) asimilarity between a set of processed features of the comparison vectorx and a set of processed features of the candidate vector y, and (ii) aproduct of a minimum size of at least one of the candidate vector x or aset of non-processed features of the candidate vector y, and asimilarity score between a maximum weight of the comparison vector x anda maximum weight of the candidate vector y. For each vector v differentfrom x in a set of vectors, the vector v can be identified as acomparison vector, and a set of candidate vectors corresponding to v canbe identified. For each candidate vector w in the set, a similarityestimate between the comparison vector v and the candidate vector w canbe determined. If the similarity estimate meets the similaritythreshold, a similarity score of the comparison vector v and thecandidate vector w can be determined. If the similarity score meets thesimilarity threshold, the pair of vectors (v, w) can be included in thelist of similar pairs of vectors.

In general, in another aspect, pairs of similar vectors in a set ofvectors are identified. A pair of similar vectors (x, y) in a set ofvectors are identified based on a similarity threshold and anaccumulation of partial similarity scores each representing a similaritybetween features of the vector x and other vectors in the set. An upperbound of a sum of partial similarity scores of non-processed features ofthe vector x and non-processed features of the other vectors isdetermined, the non-processed features being features that have not beenused to calculate the partial similarity scores. The number of partialsimilarity scores that need to be computed is reduced by not calculatingpartial similarity scores for some vectors when the upper bound meets apredetermined criterion.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theupper bound can meet the predetermined criterion when the upper bound isless than the similarity threshold. The upper bound can be updated overtime by, after processing each feature x_(i) of the vector x, reducingthe upper bound based on a similarity between the feature x_(i) and amaximum corresponding feature among the other vectors. Identifying thepair of similar vectors (x, y) can include iteratively processingfeatures of the comparison vector x, adding some of the vectors havingfeatures that have been processed to a set of candidate vectors, andstop adding new vectors to the set of candidate vectors when the upperbound meets the predetermined criterion. After stop adding new vectorsto the set of candidate vectors, partial similarity scores betweenfeatures of the vector x and corresponding features of vectors alreadyin the set of candidate vectors can continue to be accumulated. Asimilarity estimate between the comparison vector x and a candidatevector y can be determined; if the similarity estimate meets asimilarity threshold, a similarity score of the comparison vector x andthe candidate vector y can be determined; and if the similarity scoremeets the similarity threshold, the pair of vectors (x, y) can beidentified as a pair of similar vectors. A vector y in the set ofcandidate vectors can be identified such that a similarity between thevector y and the comparison vector x meets the similarity threshold.

In general, in another aspect, pairs of similar vectors in a set ofvectors are identified. A similarity threshold is identified; one ormore features of vectors are processed according to a predeterminedprocess; a comparison vector x having processed features andnon-processed features is identified, in which the processed featureshave been processed by the predetermined process and the non-processedfeatures have not been processed by the predetermined process. Based onthe comparison vector x, a first set of vectors is identified, eachvector having corresponding processed features and correspondingnon-processed features. A candidate vector y is identified from thefirst set of vectors; a maximum similarity between the non-processedfeatures of x and the non-processed features of y is determined; and thevector y is removed from the first set of vectors if the maximumsimilarity does not meet the similarity threshold.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.Processing one or more features of vectors according to thepredetermined process can include determining a similarity of twofeatures. Processing one or more features of vectors according to thepredetermined process can include incrementing an accumulated similarityscore according to the similarity of the features. A subset of vectorscan be removed from the first set based on the maximum similaritybetween the non-processed features of x and the non-processed featuresof each vector in the first set. A similarity between the comparisonvector x and the candidate vector y can be determined, and the pair ofvectors (x, y) can be included in a set of similar pairs of vectors ifthe similarity between the vectors x and y meets the similaritythreshold.

For each vector v different from x in a second set of vectors, in whicheach vector v has processed features and non-processed features, thevector v can be identified as a comparison vector; based on thecomparison vector v, a set of vectors corresponding to v can beidentified, each vector having corresponding processed features andcorresponding non-processed features; a candidate vector y_(v) can beidentified from the set of vectors corresponding to v; and based on amaximum similarity between the non-processed features of v and thenon-processed features of y_(v), the vector y_(v) is removed from theset of vectors corresponding to v. The maximum similarity between thenon-processed features of x and the non-processed features of y can bedetermined based on a similarity between the non-processed features of xand a bounding vector having an ith coordinate equal to a largestfeature in an ith coordinate among all vectors in a second set ofvectors.

In some examples, each vector can represent a corresponding document,and each feature of each vector can represent a frequency with which aword appears in the document. The vector x can be displayed. In someexamples, each vector can represent a corresponding user in a community,and each feature of each vector can represent a preference of thecorresponding user towards an object in a set of objects. An object canbe recommended to a user corresponding to the vector x based on thevector y. The set of objects can include a set of musical works or a setof dramatic works. In some examples, each vector can represent acorresponding user in a community, and each feature of each vector canrepresent the corresponding user's click-behavior with regard to acontent item. A pair of vectors (x, y) can be identified as representinga group of colluding users. The content item can include at least one ofan advertisement or a web page. Each vector can represent acorresponding query, and each feature of each vector can represent arelevance of a corresponding document to the query. A querycorresponding to the vector y can be suggested to a user.

In general, in another aspect, a dataset tool identifies a comparisonvector x, and a set of candidate vectors corresponding to the vector x.A similarity tool determines a similarity estimate between thecomparison vector x and each candidate vector y in the set, andidentifies a similarity score between the comparison vector x and eachcandidate vector y if the similarity estimate meets a similaritythreshold. A results tool includes the pair of vectors (x, y) for eachcandidate vector y in a list of similar pairs of vectors if thesimilarity score meets the similarity threshold.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thesimilarity tool can determine the similarity estimate of the comparisonvector x and the candidate vector y based on a predetermined functionsuch that the similarity estimate is greater than or equal to asimilarity score of the comparison vector x and the candidate vector y.The similarity tool can determine the similarity estimate based on a sumof (i) a similarity between a set of processed features of thecomparison vector x and a set of processed features of the candidatevector y, and (ii) a product of a minimum size of at least one of thecandidate vector x or a set of non-processed features of the candidatevector y, and a similarity score of a maximum weight of the comparisonvector x and a maximum weight of the candidate vector y. The datasettool can identify each vector v different from x in a set of vectors asa comparison vector, and identify a set of candidate vectorscorresponding to each vector v. The similarity tool can determine, foreach candidate vector w, a similarity estimate between the comparisonvector v and the candidate vector w. The similarity tool can determine asimilarity score of the comparison vector v and the candidate vector wif the similarity estimate meets the similarity threshold. The resultstool can include the pair of vectors (v, w) in the list of similar pairsof vectors if the similarity score meets the similarity threshold.

In general, in another aspect, a dataset tool identifies a comparisonvector x having processed features and non-processed features, based onthe comparison vector x, a first set of vectors, each vector havingcorresponding processed features and corresponding non-processedfeatures, and a candidate vector y from the first set of vectors. Asimilarity tool determines a similarity threshold, and a maximumsimilarity between the non-processed features of x and the non-processedfeatures of y. The dataset tool removes the vector y from the first setof vectors if the maximum similarity does not meet the similaritythreshold.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thedataset tool can remove a subset of vectors from the first set ofvectors based on the maximum similarity between the non-processedfeatures of the vector x and the non-processed features of each vectorin the first set. The similarity tool can determine a similarity betweenthe comparison vector x and the candidate vector y. A results tool caninclude the vectors (x, y) in a set of similar pairs of vectors if thesimilarity between the vectors x and y meets the similarity threshold.

Each vector v different from x can have processed features andnon-processed features, in which the dataset tool can identify eachvector v different from x as a comparison vector. The dataset tool canidentify a set of vectors corresponding to v based on the comparisonvector v, each vector in the set of vectors corresponding to v havingcorresponding processed features and corresponding non-processedfeatures. The dataset tool can identify a candidate vector y_(v) fromthe set of vectors corresponding to v. The dataset tool can remove thevector y_(v) from the set of vectors corresponding to v if a maximumsimilarity between the non-processed features of v and the non-processedfeatures of y_(v) does not meet the similarity threshold. The maximumsimilarity between the non-processed features of x and the non-processedfeatures of y can be determined based on a similarity between thenon-processed features of x and a bounding vector having an ithcoordinate equal to a largest feature in an ith coordinate among allvectors in a second set of vectors.

In some examples, each vector can represent a corresponding document,and each feature of each vector can represent a frequency with which aword appears in the document. In some examples, each vector canrepresent a corresponding user in a community, and each feature of eachvector can represents a preference of the corresponding user towards anobject in a set of objects. A results tool recommends an object to auser corresponding to the vector x based on the vector y. The set ofobjects can include a set of musical works or a set of dramatic works.In some examples, each vector can represent a corresponding user in acommunity, and each feature of each vector can represents thecorresponding user's click-behavior with regard to a content item. Thecontent item can include an advertisement or a web page. In someexamples, each vector can represents a corresponding query, and eachfeature of each vector can represents a relevance of a correspondingdocument to the query. A results tool can suggest a query correspondingto the vector y to a user.

Other aspects include other combinations of the features recited aboveand other features, expressed as methods, apparatus, systems, programproducts, and in other ways.

Advantages of the aspects and implementations may include one or more ofthe following. All similar pairs (x, y) of objects can be identifiedfrom a population of objects. In order to facilitate the comparison, anindex is created that is relatively small, but enough features of eachvector are indexed so that vectors that are similar to a given vector xare identified as candidate vectors for x by using the index. Indeciding whether to index a particular feature, or in deciding whethertwo vectors are similar, using similarity estimates (instead of exactsimilarity scores) can provide enough information to decide whether toindex, or whether two vectors are similar. Using similarity estimatesinstead of exact similarity scores can increase the performance ofindexing and finding matches. Other features and advantages will beapparent from the description and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an example set of vectors.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are schematic illustrations of example inverted indices.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a search system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of an example search engine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for an example process for searching and indexinga dataset.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an example search and index processes.

FIG. 6 is an example illustration of ordering dimensions.

FIG. 7 is an example illustration of ordering vectors.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for an example similarity accumulation algorithm.

FIG. 9 is an example algorithm for finding pairs of vectors similar to agiven vector.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing device that may be used toimplement the search system, as either a client or as a server orplurality of servers.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

In some examples, finding all pairs of similar objects in a populationof objects includes using an inverted index to keep track of the objects(or portions of objects) that have been examined. In some examples, theinverted index is built by including only items that satisfy certaincriteria, thus increasing the speed of computation and reducing theamount of data that needs to be stored. In some examples, thecomputation can be made more efficient by using estimates on similarityto determine whether pairs of objects are sufficiently similar withoutcomputing an exact similarity score between the objects.

In the description below, definitions of terms will be provided,followed by examples of datasets and examples of ways to find pairs ofsimilar items in the datasets.

DEFINITIONS

The following are definitions used in this description.

“V”: The symbol V denotes a dataset that can, by way of example, berepresented as a set of n vectors, each vector having m dimensions. Forexample, the dataset can be written as V={v¹, . . . , v^(n)} in whicheach of v¹, . . . , v^(n) is a vector. Each vector can represent anobject, so finding pairs of similar objects involves finding pairs ofsimilar vectors.

When referring to a list of vectors, a superscript is used todifferentiate vectors in the list, but does not necessarily indicate avector's position in the list. For example, a dataset V={v¹, . . . ,v¹⁰⁰} contains 100 vectors, but the vector v¹ is not necessarily thefirst vector in the dataset.

FIG. 1A is an example set V of vectors, which includes vectors v¹=(3, 1,0), v²=(3, 0, 3), v³=(4, 0, 1), and v⁴=(1, 2, 3).

“Feature”: If x is a vector in V, a “feature” of x refers to a non-zerocomponent of the vector x. For example, the vector x=(10, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0,0, 10) has three features. If dimensions are numbered in an increasingleft-to-right order starting at 1, then the vector x has features indimensions 1, 2, and 8.

“Size”: The size of a vector x, denoted |x|, is defined as the number offeatures of x. For example, the vector x=(10, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 10) hasa size |x|=3.

“Norm”: A “norm,” of x, denoted ∥x∥, is a non-negative real number thatsatisfies:∥x+y∥≦∥x∥+∥y∥,  (1)∥ax∥=|a|·∥x∥, and  (2)∥x∥=0 if and only if x=0  (3)for all vectors x, y and all scalars a. When a is a scalar, the notation|a| denotes the absolute value of a. One example of a norm is theEuclidean norm, defined by

${x} = {\sqrt{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\; x_{i}^{2}}.}$Note that in many examples the size of a vector is not a norm. Forexample, if x is a vector and a is a scalar, then |ax|=|x|. Thus, thesize of a vector does not satisfy property (2) above.

“maxweight(•)”, “max_(i)(•)”: If x is a vector, then the largest featureof x is denoted maxweight(x). For example, if x=(1, 2, 3, 4, 100, 2, 0),then maxweight(x)=100. If a dataset V is an m-dimensional dataset, thenthe largest feature occurring among the vectors in the dataset Vindimension i is denoted max_(i)(V). For example, if V={(2, 1), (1,3)},then max₁(V)=2 and max₂(V)=3.

“Bounding vector”: Given a dataset V, a “bounding vector,” denotedbound(V), is the vector whose ith coordinate equals max_(i)(V). Thus,the bounding vector for the dataset V={(2, 1), (1,3)} is given bybound(V)=(2, 3). Note that bound(V) need not be among the vectors in V.

“Similarity function, sim(•, •)”: Given a dataset V, a measure ofsimilarity among the vectors in V can be represented by a similarityfunction sim: V×V→X, where X is an ordered set, and sim(x,y)=sim(y, x)for all vectors x, y in V. The similarity function provides a measure ofsimilarity between pairs of vectors, such that in one implementation ifsim(x,y) is greater than sim(a,b), then the vectors x and y are “closer”or “more similar” to each other than the vectors a and b are to eachother. The similarity function can have values that are, e.g., realnumbers.

Examples of similarity functions include the dot product of vectors:

${{{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)} = {{x \cdot y} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\;{x_{i}y_{i}}}}},$and the cosine-similarity of vectors, defined by cos(x, y)=dot(x,y)/(∥x∥·∥y∥). Note that use of term cosine-similarity does not implythat the dataset V or its constituent vectors have an underlyinggeometric structure, or that there is necessarily an angle between twovectors. Other examples of similarity functions include the following:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{sim}_{1}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)}{\sqrt{{x} \cdot {y}}}};} \\{{{{sim}_{2}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)}{\min\left( {{x},{y}} \right)}};} \\{{{{sim}_{3}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{2 \cdot {{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)}}{{x} + {y}}};} \\{{{sim}_{4}\left( {x,y} \right)} = {\frac{{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)}{{x} + {y} - {{dot}\left( {x,y} \right)}}.}}\end{matrix}$Similarity functions may be derived from the above formulas, forexample, by replacing any instance of |·| with ∥·∥.

“Similar”: Given a dataset V, a similarity function sim(•, •) is usefulin identifying all pairs of vectors in the dataset V having a degree ofsimilarity equal to or greater than a specified similarity threshold.For example, the similarity function can be used to find all pairs x andy such that sim(x,y)≧t, for a specified threshold t. In the descriptionbelow, referring to vectors x and y as “similar” means that the vectorsx and y have a degree of similarity above a specified similaritythreshold for a given similarity function.

The term “similarity” does not necessarily imply a transitive relationamong vectors. For example, if a vector x is similar to a vector y and yis similar to a vector z, then x can be, but need not be, similar to z.The term “similarity” also does not necessarily imply a reflexiverelation among vectors: a vector x need not be similar to itself. Forexample, using the dot product as a similarity function, a vector havingonly one feature x₁ is not self-similar for a similarity threshold tgreater than (x₁)².

For some similarity functions, a dataset V can be normalized such thateach nonzero vector is self-similar for a range of similaritythresholds. For example, using the dot product as a similarity function,if a dataset V is normalized so that its constituent vectors v^(i) eachsatisfy ∥v^(i)∥=1 (in the Euclidean norm), then each vector isself-similar for similarity thresholds less than or equal to 1.

“Inverted Index”: One may represent all or part of V as an invertedindex I. An inverted index I is a collection of lists I₁, . . . , I_(m),where each list I_(i) is a set of vector-feature pairs (x, x_(i)) suchthat x is a vector in V and x_(i) is a feature of x. In other words, thelist I_(i) is a collection of features, together with their associatedvectors, that occur in the i-th dimension of the vectors in V. The termI_(i) represents the i-th dimension of the inverted index I, and issometimes referred to as the inverted index I_(i).

An example of an inverted index representation I=(I₁, I₂, I₃) of thedataset V of FIG. 1B:I ₁={(v ¹,3),(v ²,3),(v ³,4),(v ⁴,1)}I ₂={(v ¹,1),(v ⁴,2)}I ₃={(v ²,3),(v ³,1),(v ⁴,3)}.In this example, the inverted index has three dimensions.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a relationship between the dataset V andthe inverted index I=(I₁, I₂, I₃). Each feature of V is contained withina dashed line I₁, I₂, or I₃. A feature enclosed by a dashed line I₁ iscontained in the inverted index I₁, a feature enclosed by a dashed lineI₂ is contained in the inverted index I₂, and a feature enclosed by adashed line I₃ is contained in the inverted index I₃.

An inverted index of a dataset V can, e.g., include a portion (less thanall) of the features of V. For example, the dataset V of FIG. 1B can berepresented by the inverted index I=(I₁, I₂, I₃):I ₁={(v ²,3),(v ³,4),(v ⁴,1)}I ₂={(v ⁴,2)}I₃={ }.FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of this example inverted indexI=(I₁, I₂, I₃).

In some examples, as described below, an inverted index I may be builtfrom a dataset V in a feature-by-feature or vector-by-vector manner. Forexample, the inverted index I may be built by iteratingfeature-by-feature or vector-by-vector through one or more logicalloops. The term “inverted index” describes I at each iteration eventhough in some implementations some vector-feature pairs (x, x_(i)) donot appear in the inverted index I after a particular iteration. Addinga feature to the inverted index is referred to as “indexing” thefeature.

Examples of Datasets

In some examples, a dataset V represents a collection of strings oftext, e.g., documents such as HTML pages or plain text files. Otherforms of data are possible. In this example, each vector represents astring of text, e.g., a document. In one implementation, each dimensionin the dataset V corresponds to a word, and coordinates of a vectorcorrespond to the frequency of the corresponding word in a string oftext. For example, the first dimension may correspond to the word“apple,” and the second dimension may correspond to the word “ball.” Avector having (2, 4) as the first and second coordinates indicates thatthe document has two occurrences of “apple” and four occurrences of“ball.” Similar pairs or clusters of similar documents may containsimilar information. Accordingly, and by way of example, afteridentifying all pairs or clusters of similar documents, one document ineach pair or cluster can be displayed or used, while other similardocument(s) in the pair or cluster is/are suppressed or deleted.

In some examples, a dataset V can include vectors in which each vectoris associated with a particular query, different vectors correspondingto different queries. In this example, each dimension of the dataset Vcorresponds to a document, and each coordinate of a vector representsthe relevance of a corresponding document to a particular query. Thus,the dataset V may represent a collection of queries, and identifyingsimilar pairs of vectors can be used to identify similar pairs ofqueries. In one implementation, upon receiving a query Q from a user,other queries similar to the query Q are identified and suggested to theuser as alternative queries.

In some examples, the dataset V may include vectors each describing aperson's preferences for certain items (e.g., musical works, dramaticworks, movies, artists, web pages, etc.) For example, each dimension ofthe dataset V may correspond to one of the items, and each coordinate ofa vector may represent the user's preference for the corresponding item.In this example, similar vectors correspond to users having similarpreferences for the items, and identifying pairs (or clusters) ofsimilar vectors may be used in identifying pairs (or clusters) of userswith similar preferences.

Similar vectors correspond to users having similar preferences for theitems, and identifying pairs (or clusters) of similar vectors may beused in identifying pairs (or clusters) of users with similarpreferences. In some implementations, for example, when the dimensionsof the dataset correspond to musical works, identifying pairs of similarusers can be used to recommend a particular song to a user, based onanother, similar user's preference towards the song. In another example,when the dimensions of the dataset correspond to musical works,identifying pairs of similar users can be used to introduce a friend ofa first user to a second user, based on a similarity (e.g., overlap)between the friends of the first and second users.

In some examples, the set V may include vectors each describing a user'sclick-behavior with regard to certain advertisements or web pages. Forexample, each dimension of the dataset V may correspondence to aparticular advertisement (or web page), different dimensionscorresponding to different advertisements (or web pages). In thisexample, each coordinate of a vector may represent how often a user hasclicked on the corresponding advertisement (or web page). In thisexample, identifying pairs (or clusters) of similar vectors may be usedto identify pairs (or clusters) of users with similar click-behavior.Identifying a cluster of users that behave similarly may be useful in,e.g., identifying users that collude to commit fraudulent activities.

The following describes systems and processes for identifying all pairsof vectors in V with similarity scores above a specified threshold.

Search Systems

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example of a search system10. The system 10 is in data communication with one or more (e.g.,several) users 12 through, for example, a wired or wireless network 11.The user 12 can be, e.g., a human user or a non-human user, such as acomputer program. The search system 10 includes a search engine 14, oneor more (e.g., several) datasets 16, one or more (e.g., several) indices18, one or more (e.g., several) sets of search parameters 20, and one ormore (e.g. several) results sets 22, each result set 22 listing all thesimilar pairs from a particular dataset 16.

Each dataset 16 may correspond to one or more (e.g., several) indices18. The search system 10 can associate one or more (e.g., several)datasets 16 or one or more (e.g., several) sets of search parameters 20with one or more (e.g., several) users 12. Each user 12 can establish auser profile with the search system 10 to define the user's preferenceswith regard to the parameters 20.

The search parameters 20 include a similarity threshold 24 and asimilarity function 26. The similarity threshold 24 or the similarityfunction 26 can be provided by the user 12, or provided by anothersource (e.g., a preset similarity threshold 24 or a preset similarityfunction 26 provided with the search system 10). The similaritythreshold 24 includes a condition under which two vectors in a dataset16 are considered similar. In some examples, the condition includes anumerical value, in which similar pairs of vectors are defined as pairswhose similarity score is greater than or equal to the numericalthreshold. In some examples, the similarity function 26 includes aformula that can associate a similarity score with a pair of vectors.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of an example search engine 14. Theexample search engine 14 includes a dataset tool 28, a similarity tool30, an index tool 32, and a results tool 34. Each of the tools 28, 30,32, and 34 can be implemented in, for example, hardware, software, or acombination thereof.

The dataset tool 28 is operable to read from or write to the dataset 16.In some implementations, the dataset tool 28 can sort the dataset 16according to one or more sort criteria, identify particular features inthe dataset 16 (e.g., a largest feature in a particular dimension or thelargest feature in a particular vector), or remove features from avector. For example, if a feature of a vector is written in the invertedindex 18, then the dataset tool 28 can remove a corresponding feature ofa corresponding vector in the dataset 16.

The similarity tool 30 is operable to determine or estimate a similarityscore between two pairs of vectors in the dataset 16. For example, thesimilarity tool 30 may invoke the similarity function 26 to determinethe similarity score between two vectors. Moreover, the similarity tool30 may accumulate partial similarity scores between portions of vectors.For example, the similarity tool 30 may accumulate partial similarityscores by iteratively defining a function or a table describing asimilarity score between vectors on each iteration.

The index tool 32 is operable to read from or write to the invertedindex 18. In some implementations, the index tool 32 writes vectors orfeatures of vectors to the index 18 based on data provided by thedataset tool 28 or the similarity tool 30. For example, based on anestimated similarity score between two vectors, the index tool 32 mayindex a particular feature of a particular vector provided by thedataset tool 28.

The results tool 34 is operable to read from or write to the results set22. In some implementations, the results tool 34 writes vectors orfeatures to the results set 22 based on data provided by the datasettool 28, the similarity tool 30, or the index tool 32. For example,based on a similarity score provided by the similarity tool 30, theresults tool 34 may write a pair of vectors provided from the index tool32 or the dataset tool 28 to the results set 22. In another example, theresults tool 34 may provide information read from the results set 22 tothe user 12 in response to a request from the user 12.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a general process 35 foridentifying similar pairs in a dataset in which the dataset is partiallyindexed. In step 36, a dataset V is identified. In some implementations,the dataset V can include one or more (e.g., several) vectors, one ormore (e.g., several) functions with finite domains, one or more (e.g.,several) arrays, etc. For example, the dataset V may be a dataset 16 inthe search system 10. In the following example, the dataset V isdescribed as having a collection of vectors, but the searching methodscan also be extended to other types of data sets mutatis mutandis. Forexample, the dataset V can include an array (e.g., each column in thearray being treated as a vector), or a set of functions (e.g., afunction ƒ can be considered a vector whose i-th component equals ƒ(i)).In some implementations, the dataset V is identified by the dataset tool28.

In step 38, a similarity threshold t is identified. For example, t maybe a similarity threshold 24 in the search system 10. In someimplementations, the similarity threshold t is identified by thesimilarity tool 30.

In step 40, a similarity function sim(•, •) is identified. For example,sim(•, •) may be a similarity function 26 in the search system 10. Insome implementations, the similarity function is identified by thesimilarity tool 30.

The dataset 16 is preliminarily sorted according to one or more criteria(step 42). In some implementations, the preliminary sorting can includesorting dimensions in the dataset V, or vectors in the dataset V. Forexample, the preliminary sorting can allow certain estimates ofsimilarity to be computed based in part on an order of dimensions orvectors. In some implementations, the preliminary sorting can beperformed by the dataset tool 28. The sorting will be described below.

In step 44, a vector x is identified. In some implementations, thevector x is identified based on the preliminary sort. For example, ifthe vectors in the dataset V were ordered according to certain criteria,then the vector x and subsequent vectors can be identified in an orderconsistent with the order in the dataset V. In some implementations, thevector x is identified by the dataset tool 28.

During one iteration of the steps 44 to 56, the vector x identified instep 44 is referred to as a “comparison vector,” which is used forcomparing to other vectors. In a subsequent iteration of steps 44 to 56,a different vector y may be identified in step 44. In the subsequentiteration, y (and not x) is referred to as a comparison vector.

After identifying the vector x, other vectors that may be similar to thevector x are identified (step 46). For example, an identified vector yis referred to as a “candidate vector,” indicating that it is acandidate as a member in the potentially similar pair (x, y). In asubsequent iteration of the steps 44 to 56, a different vector z in thedataset V may be identified in step 46. In the subsequent iteration, thevector z (and not y) is considered a candidate vector. Note that avector that was identified as a candidate vector in one iteration of theloop 44 to 56 may serve as a comparison vector in a different iterationof the loop.

In some implementations, a vector y is identified as a candidate vectorbased on an estimated similarity between x and y. For example, thesimilarity tool 30 may determine an estimated similarity between vectorsx and y, and if the estimated similarity meets the similarity threshold24, then the vector y is identified as a candidate vector. Determiningthe estimated similarity may involve less computation than determiningan exact similarity score, and can be useful in quickly eliminatingvectors that are unlikely to be candidate vectors. In someimplementations, there need not be any candidate vectors identified.

Similarity scores are determined between the comparison vector x and anyof the candidate vectors y (step 48). In some implementations, thesimilarity scores are determined by the similarity tool 30. For example,the similarity score may be determined by invoking the similarityfunction 26, or by accumulating partial similarity scores in, forexample, a table or a function. If the similarity score between thecomparison vector x and a candidate vector y meets the similaritythreshold 24, then the pair of vectors (x, y) is identified as a similarpair in step 48. In some implementations, the results tool 34 recordsthe vectors (x, y) as a similar pair in the results set 22 (step 50).

After identifying similar pairs, what features (if any) of thecomparison vector x to index is determined (decision 52). In someimplementations, the index tool 32 determines whether to index aparticular feature of the comparison vector x. For example, a featuremay be indexed based on an estimated similarity contribution of thefeature to similarity scores among other vectors in the dataset V.Indexing features of the comparison vector x on the basis of anestimated similarity contribution between x and other vectors in thedataset allows the index to remain relatively small, whilesimultaneously indexing enough features of each vector so that similarvectors are identified as candidate vectors. The features of thecomparison vector x to be indexed are written to the index (step 54). Insome implementations, the index tool 32 writes the features to the index18.

If there are other vectors in the dataset V that have not yet beenidentified in step 44, then the loop 44 to 56 is repeated using thesevectors. In some implementations, the dataset tool 28 determines whetherthere are any such vectors. After repeating the loop 44 to 56 untilevery vector in the dataset has been identified, each pair of similarvectors (x, y) is recorded in step 50.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a process 59 for identifyingsimilar pairs of vectors in a dataset. The process 59 is based on thegeneral process 35 of FIG. 4. A dataset V, a similarity threshold t, anda similarity function sim(•, •) are identified (step 60). In someimplementations, the similar pairs are written to a “results file,”which can be an electronic file or any type of data structure such as aset, a list, a string, etc. In some implementations, results file may beincluded in the results set 22 of FIG. 2. Prior to identifying similarpairs, the results file and the inverted index I can be initialized tobe empty (step 62). In some implementations, the index I is initializedby the index tool 32 and results file is initialized by the results tool34.

The dataset V is preliminarily sorted (step 64). In someimplementations, the dataset V is preliminarily sorted by the datasettool 28. In some implementations, the preliminary sort may involveeither sorting the dimensions of the dataset V, sorting the vectors inV, or sorting both the dimensions and the vectors in V.

In some implementations, when sorting the dimensions, the dimensions 1,. . . , m (e.g., rows in a vector representation) of V can be orderedmonotonically by the number of features that appear among the vectors ofthe dataset V. In the description below, it is assumed that this orderis non-increasing, i.e., when i<j, there are at least as many featuresamong the vectors in V that occur in dimension i as there are occurringin dimension j. In some examples, the order can be non-decreasing.

FIG. 6 is an example illustration of ordering dimensions of a dataset sothat the number of features is non-increasing as the dimensionincreases. The dataset of FIG. 1B is used as an example. A dataset V₁initially includes vectors (3, 1, 0), (3, 0, 3), (4, 0, 1), and (1, 2,3). When the dimensions are re-ordered as described above, the datasetV₁ becomes a dataset V₂, which includes vectors (3, 0, 1), (3, 3, 0),(4, 1, 0), and (1, 3, 2). The dataset V₂ has four features (e.g., 3, 3,4, and 1) that occur in dimension 1, three features (e.g., 3, 1, and 3)that occur in dimension 2, and two features (e.g., 1 and 2) that occurin dimension 3. Thus if n(i) is the function defined as the number offeatures occurring among the vectors in the dataset V in dimension i,then n(1)≧n(2)≧n(3) after ordering the dimensions.

In some implementations, when sorting the vectors, the vectors v¹, . . ., v^(m) of V can be ordered monotonically by the maximum weight of thevector. In the description and examples below, it is assumed that theorder is non-increasing; i.e., when i<j,maxweight(v^(i))≧maxweight(v^(j)). A non-decreasing order can also beused.

FIG. 7 is an example illustration of ordering vectors. A dataset V₃ isprocessed so that the vectors in the dataset V₃ are sorted in anon-increasing order of the maximum weight function maxweight(•)resulting in a sorted dataset V₄. The vector v³ has the largest maximumweight (i.e., 4), so it appears first in the sorted dataset V₄. Theother vectors each have maximum weight 3, so in some implementationstheir relative order remains unchanged.

In the case where the dataset V consists entirely of binary vectors(i.e., vectors whose features are all equal to 1), then sorting bymaxweight(•) is trivial, since all vectors have weights equal to 1 or 0.In this example case, the dataset V can be sorted by vector size; i.e.,|·|, instead of maxweight(•).

Ordering the dimensions of a dataset is useful for locating similarpairs of vectors because ordering the dimensions can reduce the size ofthe resultant index compared to indices created from datasets whosedimensions are not ordered. Similarly, ordering the vectors in thedataset is useful for locating similar pairs of vectors because orderingthe vectors allows for certain estimates (including, but not limited to,step 74, FIG. 8, step 110, FIG. 5) that can avoid unnecessarycomputation.

In the description below, it is assumed that the dimensions and/orvectors of the dataset V are named consistently with their ordering.Thus, for example, if the dimensions of the dataset V are in anon-increasing order, then the number of features in dimension n isequal to or greater than the number of features in dimension n+1.Similarly, if the vectors of the dataset V are in a non-increasingorder, then maxweight(v¹)≧maxweight(v²).

Referring back to FIG. 5, a comparison vector x is identified in thedataset V (step 66). In some implementations, the comparison vector x isidentified by the dataset tool 28. If the vectors are ordered in step64, then the comparison vector x (and subsequent comparison vectors insubsequent iterations) is identified in an order consistent with theorder of the vectors in the dataset. For example, when the vectors in Vare sorted in non-increasing order of maxweight(•) the first vector in Vis identified first.

In step 68, a partial measure of similarity between x and other vectorsof V is accumulated. In some implementations, the similarity isaccumulated in a similarity accumulation function A(•) defined oncertain vectors (e.g., identified in step 78, FIG. 8) in the dataset V.In some implementations, similarity is accumulated by the similaritytool 30.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for an example similarity accumulation process 69.In step 70, the accumulation function A(•) is initialized. In someimplementations, the initialization includes setting A(y) to beundefined for each vector y in the dataset V. Alternatively, A(y) can beinitialized to 0 for each y in V. In some implementations, thesimilarity tool 30 initializes A(•).

In some implementations, a variable remscore is used to estimate anupper bound of the maximum similarity between the non-processed featuresof the comparison vector x and the non-processed features of the othervectors in the dataset V. For example, the similarity accumulationprocess 69 may include iterative steps that perform computations oncertain features during each iterative step. For example, each iterativestep may involve determining a partial similarity score sim(x_(i),y_(i)) between features x_(i) and y_(i) and adding the partialsimilarity score to the similarity accumulation function A(•). In theseexamples, a feature x_(i) is said to be “processed” when the featurex_(i) has been used to compute a partial similarity score, and a featurex_(j) is said to be “non-processed” when, for example, the feature x_(j)has not been used to compute a partial similarity score. In someimplementations, contributions of the non-processed features to anoverall similarity score can be estimated, reducing the need to processevery feature that has not been processed and thereby reducingcomputation time. This is because if a vector y_(j) has not beenprocessed and the estimated contribution associated with the vectory_(j) indicates that the vector's contribution will not meet thesimilarity threshold, then there is no need to process the vector y_(j)further.

In some implementations, any estimate of the upper bound of the maximumsimilarity may be used for determining the value of remscore. Estimateswhich require a relatively few number of computations are effective inincreasing the speed of searching for pairs of similar vectors. Forexample, in step 72, the value of remscore can be initialized to sim(x,bound(V)). If the similarity function is the dot product of vectors,then sim(x, bound(V))

$= {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\;{\max_{i}{(V){x_{i}.}}}}$In some implementations, the variable remscore is initialized by thesimilarity tool 30. In the case that the dataset V consists entirely ofbinary vectors, note that

${\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\;{\max_{i}{(V)x_{i}}}} = {{x}.}$If it is known a priori that the dataset V consists of binary vectors,initializing remscore to |x| (without computing

$\left. {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\;{\max_{i}{(V)x_{i}}}} \right)$can save computational resources.

In some implementations, a variable minsize is used to reduce the numberof candidate vectors. The variable minsize is used as an estimate of alower bound of the minimum size of a candidate vector in order for thecandidate vector to be similar to the comparison vector x, for a givensimilarity threshold and a given similarity function. The variableminsize is identified in step 74. In some implementations, minsize isidentified by the similarity tool 30. Any estimate of the lower bound ofthe minimum size may be used for determining the value of minsize. Forexample, the variable minsize may be defined by:minsize=t/maxweight(x),where t is the similarity threshold and x is the comparison vector.Utilizing minsize as described below is effective when the vectors ofthe dataset are sorted by maxweight(•) for example in step 64 (FIG. 5).If the vectors are not sorted by maxweight(•) a vector y which isactually similar to the comparison vector x may not be identified as acandidate vector in step 78.

If the dataset V consists of binary vectors sorted by size, then in oneimplementation the variable minsize may be defined by minsize=|x|·t²,and identified in step 74.

In step 76, a feature x_(i) of the comparison vector x is identified.The feature x_(i) identified in step 76 is one that has not beenpreviously identified. In some implementations, the feature x_(i) isidentified by the dataset tool 28. For example, if the dimensions of Vwere ordered (e.g., in step 64 of FIG. 5), then the features x_(i) maybe identified in an order consistent with the order of the dimensions.

A candidate vector is identified in step 78. In some implementations,the candidate vector is identified by the index tool 32. In someimplementations, candidate vectors can include any vector y such thatthe vector-feature pair (y, y_(i)) appears in the index I_(i). However,this set of possible candidate vectors can be reduced using theestimates described above. For example, if a current value of remscoredoes not meet the similarity threshold t (i.e., remscore<t), then nocandidate vectors y need be identified in step 78. As another example,if the dataset V consists entirely of binary vectors, then no candidatevectors need be identified in step 78 if remscore<minsize. In eithercase, even if remscore≧t, vectors having a size less than minsize may beexcluded from the set of candidate vectors in some implementations.

One way to exclude vectors having a size less than minsize is to examinethe size of every vector in the index I_(i). But if the index I_(i) islarge, this may involve a large amount of computation. On the otherhand, if the size of a vector bears a relationship with its maximumweight, then the relationship can be used to find vectors having a sizeless than minsize. For example, when the vectors in the dataset V arenormalized (e.g., in the Euclidean norm) so that their lengths are equal(e.g., equal to 1), then vector size tends to be inversely proportionalto a vector's maximum weight. Thus, if the dataset is sorted in anon-increasing order of maxweight(·) then vectors with a small size tendto appear in the front of the index I_(i). In such implementations, onemay identify candidate vectors by removing vectors y from the front ofthe index I_(i) until the first vector in I_(i) has a size greater thanminsize. By doing so, although some vectors with size less than minsizemay be identified as candidate vectors, for some datasets the extracomputation involved in locating these candidate vectors is more thanthe extra computation of including them as candidate vectors.

In step 80, the accumulation function A(y) is increased by an amountequal to sim(x_(i), y_(i)). Since the similarity of the feature x_(i) isnow accounted for in A(y), the variable remscore is decreased so that itremains an estimate of the non-processed features. In step 82, thevariable remscore is decreased by an amount equal to sim(x_(i),max_(i)(V)). Thus, after step 80 the accumulation function A reflectsthe similarity between the vectors x and y for the first i coordinates(if being identified in order). Thus, the upper bound remscore isdecreased by the corresponding estimate for the similarity between thevectors x and y in the ith dimension. After step 82, the value of thevariable remscore represents an upper bound on the similarity betweenthe coordinates i+1, . . . , n of the vectors x and y. In someimplementations, the accumulation function A is increased and remscoreis decreased by the similarity tool 30. Note that if the dataset Vconsists entirely of binary vectors, then sim(x_(i), max_(i)(V))=1.Thus, in steps 80 and 82, the accumulation function A and remscore canbe increased and decreased, respectively, by 1, without computingsim(x_(i), max_(i)(V)).

If there are more candidate vectors or features not already identifiedin step 78 (decision 84), then steps 78 to 82 are repeated using thesevectors or features. After steps 78 to 84 have been performed for eachcandidate vector or feature, if there are more features of thecomparison vector x that have not yet been identified in step 76(decision 86), then steps 76 to 84 are repeated to process thesefeatures. After iterating the loop 78 to 86 over all the features of thecomparison vector x, the value of the accumulation function A(•)represents an accumulation of the similarity scores between thecomparison vector x and all the candidate vectors.

Referring back to FIG. 5, vectors similar to the comparison vector x areidentified in step 88. In some implementations, the vectors similar tothe comparison vector x are identified by the similarity tool 30.

FIG. 9 is an example process 89 for finding pairs of vectors, each pairincluding a vector x and another vector similar to the vector x. In step90 a candidate vector y is identified. For example, the candidate vectory can be identified from a pool of candidate vectors as described above.In some implementations, the candidate vector is identified by the indextool 32.

An estimate E of the similarity sim(x, y) is identified in step 92. Insome implementations, the estimate E is determined by the similaritytool 30. The estimate E can be determined using any estimate of thesimilarity score sim(x, y) such that E≧sim(x, y). In someimplementations, the estimate E requires fewer computations to identifythan it does to compute sim(x, y). Thus, one may use the estimate E toexclude the possibility that the comparison x is similar to thecandidate vector y without having to resort to computing sim(x, y).

In some examples, the estimate E can be determined by:E=A(y)+min(|x|,|y′|)·sim(maxweight(x),maxweight(y)),  (1)where y′ denotes the unindexed portion of the candidate vector y. Forexample, when the dot product is used as the similarity function, thenequation (1) above becomesE=A(y)+min(|x|,|y′|)·maxweight(x)·maxweight(y),  (2)where y′ denotes the non-indexed portion of y.

If the estimate E does not meet the similarity threshold (decision 94),e.g., E<t, then the candidate vector y is not a match, and the nextcandidate vector may be identified. On the other hand, if E≧t, then ymay be (but need not be) similar to x. In some implementations, todetermine whether y is similar to x, the full similarity score sim(x, y)is used.

If sim(x, y)≧t (decision 96), then y is similar to x, and the pair (x,y) is included in results file (step 98). In some implementations, thepair (x, y) is included in results file by the results tool 34. Afterincluding (x, y) in results file (or if sim(x, y)<t in decision 96), ifthere are more candidate vectors which have not yet been identified instep 90, then steps 90 to 100 are repeated to process these candidatevectors. Otherwise, results file includes all the vectors y similar tothe comparison vector x.

Referring back to FIG. 5, having identified vectors similar to thecomparison vector x and recorded them (step 104), whether to index anyfeatures of x is determined. In some implementations, an upper bound bwill be used in indexing the comparison vector x,. The upper bound bmeasures the estimated maximum contribution from the comparison vector xto the similarity score accumulation, discussed below.

The upper bound b is initialized to 0 (step 106) and a dimension icorresponding to a feature x_(i) of x is identified (step 108). In someimplementations, the upper bound b is initialized by the similarity tool30. The upper bound b is incremented by an estimated similaritycontribution (step 110), a quantity that represents the maximumsimilarity contribution from the feature x_(i) to the similarity betweenx and other vectors in the dataset V. For example, the estimatedsimilarity contribution can be determined by sim(max_(i)(V), x_(i)). Ifthe dataset was ordered by maxweight(•), then a second estimate is givenby sim(maxweight(x), x_(i)). In some implementations both estimates arecomputed, and the smaller of the two may be used. In the case that thedataset V consists of binary vectors, the similarity contribution isequal to 1, which may be used instead of one of the estimates describedabove. In some implementations, the estimated similarity contribution isdetermined by the similarity tool 30.

Regardless of the estimate of the maximum similarity contribution due tox_(i) used above, the value of b after step 110 represents an estimatedupper bound of the similarity between the features identified step 108(including previous iterations of step 108), and any other vector in thedataset V.

If the upper bound b is greater than or equal to the similaritythreshold (i.e., b≧t) (decision 112), then the feature x_(i) is indexed(step 114). Alternatively, if the dataset V consists entirely of binaryvectors, then the inequality b≧t·|x| is tested in the decision 112. Insome implementations, the feature x_(i) is written to the index by theindex tool 32. After being indexed in step 114, the feature x_(i) may beremoved from the comparison vector x (step 116). For example, if thedataset V is stored in a medium with less capacity than the index I(e.g., the dataset V is stored in memory and the index I is stored on ahard disk), then removing features as they are indexed can save space onthe medium storing the dataset V. In some implementations, the datasettool 28 removes the feature x_(i) from the dataset V.

Indexing features x_(i) in step 114 only after b is greater or equal tothe similarity threshold allows the process 59 to maintain a relativelysmall index, yet index enough features of each vector to ensure that,for a given vector, any similar vector is actually identified as acandidate vector during step 88.

In the description below, the non-indexed portion of a vector x isdenoted x′, and the indexed portion of x is denoted x″. In someimplementations, removing a feature x_(i) after indexing in step 114 maybe accomplished by setting the i-th coordinate equal to 0 in x′, andsetting the i-the coordinate equal to x_(i) in x″. Thus, x=x′+x″. Notethat, if sim(•, •) is linear, then sim(x, y)=sim(x′, y)+sim(x″, y). Evenif sim(•, •) is not linear, often sim(x, y) bears a relationship withsim(x′, y)+sim(x″, y) such that the estimates described here can be usedto accurately identify similar pairs of vectors.

If the upper bound b is less than the similarity threshold (i.e., b<t)in decision 112, or after removing x_(i) in step 116, it is determinedwhether there are more features of the comparison vector x that have notyet been identified (decision 118). If there are more features of x thathave not yet been identified, steps or decisions 66, 68, 88, and 104 to116 are repeated to process these features. In some implementations, thedimensions are identified in subsequent iterations of step 66 in anorder consistent with the order employed in the preliminary sort of step64. For example, if the number of features among the vectors in thedataset V that occur in dimension i (denoted n(i)) is a non-increasingfunction of i, then the smallest dimension corresponding to a feature ofthe comparison vector x may be identified in step 66. Conversely, ifn(i) is a non-decreasing function of i, then the largest dimensioncorresponding to a feature of the comparison vector x may be identifiedin step 66.

Once all the identified vector's features have been considered in stepsor decisions 66, 68, 88, and 104 to 116, if there are any vectors in thedataset V that have not yet been identified (decision 120), then stepsor decisions 66, 68, 88, and 104 to 116 are repeated for these vectors.After repeating steps or decisions 66, 68, 88, and 104 to 116 for eachvector in the dataset V, the results file contains all pairs of vectors(x, y) in the dataset V such that sim(x, y)≧t. The contents of resultsfile may be partially or completely displayed by the search system 10(step 124).

The above steps or decisions may be performed in any logically possibleorder. In practical implementations, performing the steps in certainorders may involve ancillary data processing. For example, in someimplementations, the dataset V and the results set or results file maybe stored on an optical or magnetic disk in a computer, while a portionof the dataset V, the index I and the similarity accumulation function Aare stored in a memory of the computer. If the dataset V is large enoughsuch that the entire inverted index I or similarity accumulationfunction A cannot be kept in the memory of the computer, then portionsof I or A can be moved back and forth between memory and another storagemedium, e.g., the optical or magnetic disk. However, such ancillary dataprocessing may slow down the performance of the search process.

To reduce such ancillary data processing steps, one strategy is to buildthe index (e.g., iterate through steps 66 to 120) until indexing (e.g.,steps 106 to 118) would exceed available memory, or come within apre-defined threshold of exceeding available memory. At such a time, thesearch process can switch to a “matching only” phase. For example, in amatching-only phase, the decision 120 would follow step 104, without anyintervening steps.

In some implementations, the matching-only phase persists until thedataset V has been examined for matches. When this occurs, the index Iis cleared, and indexing is resumed, starting from the point at whichindexing was previously suspended. For some datasets, the index/may becleared during the course of the matching-only phase. For example, ifthe dataset is ordered by maxweight(•) and all the vectors currently inthe index have a size below minsize, then they may all be removed. Insome implementations, if the index I is cleared prior to examining thecontents of V during the match-only phase, indexing is resumed from thepoint at which it was previously suspended.

The following table (Table 1) illustrates results at different timestepswhen applying the process 59 of FIG. 5 to the example dataset of FIG. 1Afor a similarity threshold t=14, and a similarity function given by thevector dot product.

In this example, the dimensions of dataset V of FIG. 1A are such thatthe number of features in a dimension i varies monotonically as afunction of i, but the vectors are not sorted in order of maxweight(•).Thus, applying the process 59 to the dataset V does not involveestimates or techniques that depend on a vector order. Moreover, thevariable remscore is not used in identifying candidate vectors.

TABLE 1 Com- Similar Time- parison Pairs step Vector A b Index (resultsfile) 0 none undefined un- empty empty defined 1 x = v¹ undefined 12empty empty 2 x = v¹ undefined 14 I₃ = {(v¹, 3)} empty 3 x = v²undefined 21 I₂ = {(v², 3)} empty I₃ = {(v¹, 3)} 4 x = v³ A(v²) = 3  21I₂ ={(v², 3)} {(v³, v²)} I₃ = {(v¹, 3)} 5 x = v³ A(v)² = 3  19 I₁ ={(v³, 4)} {(v³, v²)} I₂ = {(v², 3), (v³, 1)} I₃ = {(v¹, 3)} 6 x = v⁴A(v¹) = 2  19 I₁ = {(v³, 4)} {(v³, v²} A(v²) = 12 I₂ = {(v², 3), (v³,1)} A(v³) = 7  I₃ = {(v¹, 3)} 7 x = v⁴ A(v¹) = 2  17 I₁ = {(v³, 4)}{(v³, v²)} A(v²) = 12 I₂ = {(v², 3), (v³, 1)} A(v³) = 7  I₃ = {(v¹, 3),(v⁴, 2)}

Timestep 0 illustrates the state of the accumulation A(•) function, theupper bound b, the inverted index I, and the results file at step 60 inFIG. 5, before the first iteration of the loop 66, 68, 88, 104 to 120.At timestep 0, A(•), b, I, and the results file are initialized.

The vector v¹ is identified as the comparison vector x in step 66 (FIG.5). In this example, steps 72 and 74 (FIG. 8) are not carried out, sinceremscore or minsize will not be used in this example. In step 76, thefeature x_(i)=3 is identified. In this example, all vectors in theinverted index I are identified as candidate vectors. Since the index Iis empty so far, no vector is identified in step 78, and A(•) isunchanged in step 80.

In decision 84, there are no more candidate vectors. In decision 48,there are other features in the comparison vector x, namely x₃=1.However, since the index I is currently empty, the loop 78 to 84 bearsidentical results to the x₁ iteration.

Next, similar vectors to v¹ are sought in step 88 (FIG. 5). Referring toFIG. 9, since no candidate vectors were identified, loop 90 to 102 bearsno results. Proceeding to step 106 in FIG. 5, b is initialized to 0.

In step 108, suppose dimension i=1 is identified. For purposes of thisexample, the similarity contribution estimate in step 110 is equal tosim(max_(i)(V), x_(i)). Thus, max₁(V)=4, x₁=3, and sim(4,3)=4·3=12.Since the similarity threshold t=14 is assumed, then decision 112results in a negative. Thus, x₁ is not indexed. The current state isshown in the Table 1 above at timestep 1.

The next dimension in which x has a feature is dimension i=3, with thefeature x₃=1. Thus, b is further incremented by max₃(V)·x₃=2·1=2, toobtain a value of b=14. Decision 112 results in an affirmative result,so x₃ is indexed in step 114. The current state of the procedure isshown in the Table 1 above at timestep 2.

There are no more features of x=v¹, but there are other vectors (v², v³,v⁴) in V. Thus, the loop 66, 68, 88, 104 to 120 is reiterated using anew comparison vector. Suppose the new comparison vector is x=v².

Referring to FIG. 8, the comparison vector x has features in dimensions1 and 2. However, the index only includes features from dimension 3,namely (v¹, 1). Therefore, there are no candidate vectors to identify instep 78, the value of A(•) remains unchanged through each iteration ofthe loop 76 to 84, and there no results to return in step 100 of FIG. 9.

Referring back to FIG. 5, b is initialized to 0, and x₁=3 is identifiedin steps 106 and 108, respectively. In step 110, b is incremented bysim(x₁, max₁(V))=3·4=12. Since 12<t=14, the feature x₁ is not indexed.Thereafter, x₂=3 is identified in step 108, and b is incremented bysim(x₁, max₁(V))=3·3=9. Thus, b=21>t, so x₂ is indexed in step 114.There are no more features of x. This state is shown in timestep 3.

There are other vectors in V, namely v³ and v⁴. Suppose x=v³ isidentified as the next comparison vector in step 66, and x₁=4 isidentified as the feature in step 76 (FIG. 8). Again, since there are nofeatures from the first dimension of V indexed, the loop 76 to 84produces no results from x₁.

In a second iteration of the loop 76 to 84, x₂ is identified. Now, instep 78, there is a vector indexed in I₂, namely y=v² having the featurey₂=3. Thus, v² is identified as a candidate vector in step 78, and A(v²)is incremented by sim(x₂, y₂)=1.3=3 in step 80. There are no morevectors in I₂, or features of x left to reiterate the loop 76 to 86.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step 90, there is one candidate vector y=v². Forthe purposes of this example, the estimate of similarity in steps 92 to94 is not utilized, and a direct similarity computation is performed. Indecision 96, since sim(x, y)=sim(v³, v²)=4·3+1·3+0·0=15>t, the pair (v³,v²) is included in results file in step 98. This state is shown intimestep 4.

Referring back to FIG. 5, b is initialized to 0 in step 106, andincremented by sim(max₁(V), x₁)=4·4=16. Since b exceeds the similaritythreshold, x₁ is indexed. In a subsequent iteration, b is increased bysim(max₂(V), x₂)=1·3, to a total value of b=19. Thus, x₂ is indexed aswell. This state is shown in timestep 5.

The last vector, x=v⁴, is identified in step 66. Referring to FIG. 8,the feature x₁=1 is identified in step 76, and the loop 78 to 84produces a new value for A(v³)=4. In the next iteration of loop 76 to 86with x₂=3 having been identified in step 76, the value of A(v²) isincremented by 3·3=9 resulting in a new value of A(v²)=3+9=12. The valueof A(v³) is incremented by 3·1, for a new value A(v³)=7. In the finaliteration of loop 76 to 84, with x₃=2 having been identified in step 76,the value of A(v¹) is defined as A(v¹)=1·2=2. This state is shown intimestep 6.

In step 90 (FIG. 9), the candidate vectors include v¹, v², and v³. Forthe candidate vector y=v¹, sim(x,y)=1·3+3·0+2·1=5<t. For the candidatevector y=v², sim(x,y)=1·3+3·3+2·0=12<t. For the candidate vector y=v³,sim(x,y)=1·4+3·1+2·0=13<t. Thus, there are no additional resultsidentified in the loop 90 to 102 for any of the candidate vectors.

Referring back to FIG. 5, b is initialized to 0, and the feature x₁=1 isidentified in steps 106 and 108, respectively. In step 110, b isincremented by sim(max₁(V), x₁)=1·4=4<t. Therefore, x₁ is not indexed.In a second iteration, b is further incremented by sim(max₂(V)),x₂)=3·3=9, for a value b=13<t. Therefore, x₂ is not indexed. Finally, ina third iteration, b is further incremented by sim(max₃(V)), x₃)=2·2=4,for a value b=17>t. Therefore, x₃ is indexed in step 114. This state isshown in timestep 7. There are no more features of x, and there are nomore vectors in V which have not been considered.

This example is for purposes of illustration only; the particular orderof the steps performed, or the choices of vectors or features at a givenstep, is not meant to limit the scope of the techniques described inthis document.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a example device (e.g., computing device126) that may be used to implement the search system 10, as either aclient or as a server or plurality of servers. Computing device 126 isintended to represent various forms of digital computers, such aslaptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers,blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. While inthis example reference is made to computing devices, the techniques andprocesses discussed can be implemented in whole or part on other typesof electronic devices. The components shown here, their connections andrelationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, andare not meant to limit implementations of the inventions describedand/or claimed in this document.

Computing device 126 includes a processor 128, memory 130, a storagedevice 132, a high-speed interface 134 connecting to memory 130 andhigh-speed expansion ports 136, and a low-speed interface 138 connectingto low-speed bus 140 and storage device 132. Each of the components 128,130, 132, 134, 136, and 138, are interconnected using various busses,and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor 128 can process instructions for executionwithin the computing device 126, including but not limited toinstructions stored in the memory 130 or on the storage device 132 todisplay graphical information for a GUI on an external input/outputdevice, such as display 142 coupled to high-speed interface 134. Inother implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may beused, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory.Also, multiple computing devices 126 may be connected, with each deviceproviding portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank,a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

The memory 130 stores information within the computing device 126. Inone implementation, the memory 130 is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory 130 is a volatile memory unit or units. Inanother implementation, the memory 130 is a non-volatile memory unit orunits.

The storage device 132 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 126. In one implementation, the storage device 132 is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device 132 may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similarsolid state memory device, or an array of devices, including but notlimited to devices in a storage area network or other configurations. Inone implementation, a computer program product is tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product containsinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 130, the storage device 132,memory on processor 128, or a propagated signal.

The high-speed interface 134 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 126, while the low-speed interface 138 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of duties isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed interface 134 iscoupled to memory 130, display 142 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 136, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedinterface 138 is coupled to storage device 132 and low-speed bus 140.The low-speed expansion port, which may include various communicationports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupledto one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointingdevice, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router,e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 126 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 130, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 146. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 148.

Various implementations of the search system 10 can be realized indigital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designedASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware,firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These variousimplementations can include implementation in one or more computerprograms that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmablesystem including but not limited to at least one programmable processor,which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including but not limited to amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers toany signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the search system 10 can beimplemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathoderay tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displayinginformation to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., amouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to thecomputer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interactionwith a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can beany form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback,or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in anyform, including but not limited to acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The search system 10 can be implemented in a computing system thatincludes a back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includesa middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes afront end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with animplementation of the search system 10), or any combination of such backend, middleware, or front end components. The components of the systemcan be interconnected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network(“WAN”), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the dataset V can be used to represent several types of groupsof objects. For example, V can be an m×n array that can be partitionedinto n vectors (e.g., the columns of the array), with each vector havingm dimensions. For example, V can be a collection of functions ƒ_(i)(i=1to n) defined on a set {1, . . . , m}, in which each function ƒ_(i) (k)can be represented as a vector with the k-th component of the vectorgiven by ƒ_(i)(k). The user 12 in FIG. 1 can be, e.g., a human user or anon-human user, such as a computer program.

1. A method comprising: identifying a comparison vector x in a set ofvectors, the comparison vector x having non-zero features; determiningan estimated similarity contribution of a particular feature of thecomparison vector x to a similarity between the comparison vector x andeach vector in the set of vectors, generating an index that includes theparticular feature based on a comparison of the estimated similaritycontribution of the particular feature with a similarity threshold; andidentifying another vector in the set of vectors that is similar to thevector x using the index.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising sortingthe set of vectors based on dimensions of the vectors such that a numberof features occurring in a dimension i varies as a monotonic function ofi.
 3. The method of claim 1 in which determining the estimatedsimilarity contribution comprises determining the estimated similaritycontribution based on a similarity between the particular feature and abounding vector whose ith coordinate equals a largest feature in adimension i of the set of vectors.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprisingremoving the particular feature from the comparison vector x if theparticular feature is included in the index.
 5. The method of claim 1,comprising: for each vector v different from the vector x in the set ofvectors: identifying v as a comparison vector; determining an estimatedsimilarity contribution of a particular feature of the comparison vectorv to a similarity between the comparison vector v and each vector in theset of vectors, and generating an index that includes the particularfeature of the comparison vector v based on a comparison of thesimilarity contribution of the particular feature of the comparisonvector v with a similarity threshold.
 6. The method of claim 5,comprising, for each vector v different from x in the set of vectors,after including the particular feature of the comparison vector v in theindex, using the index to identify a set of vectors similar to thevector v.
 7. The method of claim 1 in which each vector represents acorresponding document, each feature of each vector represents afrequency with which a word appears in the document, and the methodcomprises displaying the vector x and removing from the set of vectorsthe vectors that have been identified as similar to the vector x.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 in which each vector represents a corresponding userin a community, each feature of each vector represents a preference ofthe corresponding user towards an object in a set of objects, and themethod comprises after identifying another vector in the set of vectorsthat is similar to the vector x, recommending an object to the usercorresponding to the vector x based on the identified similar vector. 9.The method of claim 8 in which the set of objects includes at least oneof a set of musical works or a set of dramatic works.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 in which each vector represents a corresponding user in acommunity, each feature of each vector represents the correspondinguser's click-behavior with regard to a content item, and the methodcomprises, after identifying another vector in the set of vectors thatis similar to the vector x, identifying vectors that are similar to thevector x as representing a group of colluding users.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 in which the content item includes at least one of anadvertisement or a web page.
 12. The method of claim 1 in which eachvector represents a corresponding query, each feature of each vectorrepresents a relevance of a corresponding document to the query, and themethod comprises, after identifying another vector in the set of vectorsthat is similar to the vector x, suggesting a query corresponding to theidentified similar vector to a user.
 13. A system comprising: a datasettool to identify a comparison vector x in a set of vectors, thecomparison vector x having non-zero features; a similarity tool todetermine an estimated similarity contribution of a particular featureof the comparison vector x to a similarity between the comparison vectorx and each vector in the set of vectors; an index tool to generate anindex that includes the particular feature based on a comparison of theestimated similarity contribution of the particular feature with asimilarity threshold; and a results tool to identify another vector inthe set of vectors that is similar to the vector x using the index. 14.The system of claim 13 in which the set of vectors includes dimensionsthat are ordered such that a number of features occurring in a dimensioni varies as a monotonic function of i.
 15. The system of claim 13 inwhich the estimated similarity contribution is determined based on asimilarity between the particular feature and a bounding vector whoseith coordinate equals a largest feature in a dimension i of the set ofvectors.
 16. The system of claim 13 in which the dataset toolidentifies, for each vector v different from the vector x in the set ofvectors, v as a comparison vector, and the similarity tool determines,for each vector v different from the vector x in the set of vectors, anestimated similarity contribution of a particular feature of thecomparison vector v to a similarity between the comparison vector v andeach vector in the set of vectors.
 17. The system of claim 16 in whichthe index tool uses the index to identify a set of vectors similar tothe vector v.
 18. The system of claim 13, in which each vectorrepresents a corresponding document, each feature of each vectorrepresents a frequency with which a word appears in the document, theresults tool outputs the vector x, and the dataset tool removes from theset of vectors the vectors that have been identified as similar to thevector x.
 19. The system of claim 13, in which each vector represents acorresponding user in a community, each feature of each vectorrepresents a preference of the corresponding user towards an object in aset of objects, the similarity tool identifies another vector in the setof vectors that is similar to the vector x, and the results toolrecommends an object to the user corresponding to the vector x based onthe identified similar vector.
 20. The system of claim 19 in which theset of objects includes at least one of a set of musical works or a setof dramatic works.
 21. The system of claim 13 in which each vectorrepresents a corresponding user in a community, each feature of eachvector represents the corresponding user's click-behavior with regard toa content item, the similarity tool identifies another vector in the setof vectors that is similar to the vector x, and the results toolidentifies vectors that are similar to the vector x as representing agroup of colluding users.
 22. The system of claim 21 in which thecontent item includes at least one of an advertisement or a web page.23. The system of claim 13 in which each vector represents acorresponding query, each feature of each vector represents a relevanceof a corresponding document to the query, the similarity tool identifiesanother vector in the set of vectors that is similar to the vector x,and the results tool suggests a query corresponding to the identifiedsimilar vector to a user.
 24. A system comprising: means for identifyinga comparison vector x in a set of vectors, the comparison vector xhaving non-zero features; means for determining an estimated similaritycontribution of a particular feature of the comparison vector x to asimilarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in the set ofvectors, means for generating an index that includes the particularfeature based on a comparison of the estimated similarity contributionof the particular feature with a similarity threshold; and means foridentifying another vector in the set of vectors that is similar to thevector x using the index.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein generatingan index that includes the particular feature based on a comparison ofthe estimated similarity contribution of the particular feature with asimilarity threshold comprises: generating the index that includes theparticular feature only if the estimated similarity contribution of theparticular feature satisfies the similarity threshold.
 26. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the index tool generates the index that includes theparticular feature only if the estimated similarity contribution of theparticular feature satisfies the similarity threshold.
 27. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing software comprisinginstructions executable by one or more computers which, upon suchexecution, cause the one or more computers to perform operationscomprising: identifying a comparison vector x in a set of vectors, thecomparison vector x having nonzero features; determining an estimatedsimilarity contribution of a particular feature of the comparison vectorx to a similarity between the comparison vector x and each vector in theset of vectors, generating an index that includes the particular featurebased on a comparison of the estimated similarity contribution of theparticular feature with a similarity threshold; and identifying anothervector in the set of vectors that is similar to the vector x using theindex.
 28. The medium of claim 27, comprising sorting the set of vectorsbased on dimensions of the vectors such that a number of featuresoccurring in a dimension i varies as a monotonic function of i.
 29. Themedium of claim 27 in which determining the estimated similaritycontribution comprises determining the estimated similarity contributionbased on a similarity between the particular feature and a boundingvector whose ith coordinate equals a largest feature in a dimension i ofthe set of vectors.
 30. The medium of claim 27, comprising removing theparticular feature from the comparison vector x if the particularfeature is included in the index.
 31. The medium of claim 27,comprising: for each vector v different from the vector x in the set ofvectors: identifying v as a comparison vector; determining an estimatedsimilarity contribution of a particular feature of the comparison vectorv to a similarity between the comparison vector v and each vector in theset of vectors, and generating an index that includes the particularfeature of the comparison vector v based on a comparison of thesimilarity contribution of the particular feature of the comparisonvector v with a similarity threshold.
 32. The medium of claim 31,comprising, for each vector v different from x in the set of vectors,after including the particular feature of the comparison vector v in theindex, using the index to identify a set of vectors similar to thevector v.
 33. The medium of claim 27 in which each vector represents acorresponding document, each feature of each vector represents afrequency with which a word appears in the document, and the methodcomprises displaying the vector x and removing from the set of vectorsthe vectors that have been identified as similar to the vector x. 34.The medium of claim 27 in which each vector represents a correspondinguser in a community, each feature of each vector represents a preferenceof the corresponding user towards an object in a set of objects, and themethod comprises after identifying another vector in the set of vectorsthat is similar to the vector x, recommending an object to the usercorresponding to the vector x based on the identified similar vector.35. The medium of claim 34 in which the set of objects includes at leastone of a set of musical works or a set of dramatic works.
 36. The mediumof claim 27 in which each vector represents a corresponding user in acommunity, each feature of each vector represents the correspondinguser's click-behavior with regard to a content item, and the methodcomprises, after identifying another vector in the set of vectors thatis similar to the vector x, and identifying vectors that are similar tothe vector x as representing a group of colluding users.
 37. The mediumof claim 36 in which the content item includes at least one of anadvertisement or a web page.
 38. The medium of claim 27 in which eachvector represents a corresponding query, each feature of each vectorrepresents a relevance of a corresponding document to the query, and themethod comprises, after identifying another vector in the set of vectorsthat is similar to the vector x, suggesting a query corresponding to theidentified similar vector to a user.
 39. The medium of claim 27, whereingenerating an index that includes the particular feature based on acomparison of the estimated similarity contribution of the particularfeature with a similarity threshold comprises: generating the index thatincludes the particular feature only if the estimated similaritycontribution of the particular feature satisfies the similaritythreshold.